Who We Are

The Imperial Sovereign Queen City Court of the Buckeye Empire of All Ohio, Inc. is the local, Cincinnati-based chapter of the International Imperial Court system, a network of almost 70 courts/chapters in North America. For over thirty years the Court system has raised 100,000s of dollars for charities and performed numerous noble deeds of community service. Much of this work revolves around charity drag shows and other entertainments used to raise donations for local charities.

With almost 70 courts currently in existence, the Court system is one of North America's largest grassroots lesbigaytrans organizations. Although open to everyone, the Court is akin to a "gay Shriners" via its charitable works. The Court prides itself on the diversity of its membership regarding race, gender, class, and sexual orientation among other characteristics.

This system began in 1965 through the work of the Court system's founder and queen mother, Empress Jose I, the Widow Norton. As well as being the founder of the Court system, Jose Sarria, holds the distinction of being the first openly gay political candidate in the world to run in modern times for elected office.

The Ohio court is over seven years old and began under the guidance of the Imperial Court of Toronto, our mother court. In this short time, the court has grown immensely and established itself as a strong charitable force helping the greater Cincinnati area. In 1996-1997 alone, the Ohio court raised over $40,000 for local charities.

For more information on joining in our noble deeds, please contact us via letter, phone, or email.